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Daine kept out of the way of the men. She wasn’t used to being noticed and greeted by so many people. Her caution did not extend to their mounts, of course. Once she’d cared for her ponies, she looked at the big horses. Her favorite was Alanna’s mount, the young stallion who had greeted her so happily the day before. She examined every inch of him, crooning praises into his ear.
“I think the feeling’s mutual.”
Daine jumped—once again the Lioness had come up unheard. She grinned at the knight. “He’s a beauty.”
“His name is Darkmoon.” The stallion lipped Alanna’s breech pockets. “He’s spoiled rotten.” Fishing a lump of sugar out, she fed it to him. “His grandam was my first horse—a fine mare, true to the bone.” Giving Darkmoon another sugar lump, she added, “You saved my life last night.”
Daine blushed. “You saved mine.” Purple eyes are very discomforting when they look at you, she thought. Or is it that she’s got so much Gift it leaks over to all she does?
“Where did you learn to shoot like that?”
“My grandda taught me. Carved me that bow too.”
“You’d think, your size, you’d only be able to manage a smaller one.”
Daine shrugged. “I’ve always been a fair shot.”
The woman snorted, but her eyes never left Daine’s face. She toyed with the gem around her neck. “Three times you shot overhead and hit a mark that moved, in the dark. That’s more than ‘fair’ shooting.”
Daine shrugged again. “I practice a lot.”
Alanna grinned. “I’ll stop. I didn’t mean to interrogate you. I’ve been so busy getting Arram’s story out of him that I forgot I just wanted to say thanks. You saved my life, and the life of one of my best friends. Arram wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t nursed him. I’ll remember it.”
Daine swallowed. “It was no trouble—”
Alanna took her hand. “If you need anything, come to me. A place to stay, money, work—I don’t care. If I’m not around, go to my husband.” Startled, Daine looked at Alanna’s ring finger and saw a wide silver band. “He’s the baron of Pirate’s Swoop. He’ll do anything for you I would.”
Daine gulped. A king’s champion in debt to her? An offer with no limits, and she to apply to the lady or her baron husband? People like her had no business bothering the great and wealthy! And if Alanna knew the truth about her, about what she’d done once, she’d hate Daine. She’d have to.
The knight must have seen refusal in her face. “Promise me.”
Daine wondered if there was any way to get out of it. Alanna had the look of someone who wouldn’t let this go, however. “I promise, Lioness.”
“Alanna,” Onua called from the tent. “We need you for a minute.”
“Coming,” the knight replied. “By the way—can you wield a sword?”
“Me? Gods, no!” she said, shocked. A sword was a weapon for nobles!
The Lioness grinned. “I shouldn’t be glad, but I am.” Seeing Daine’s puzzlement, she explained, “If you were as good with the sword as you are with a bow, I couldn’t take the competition.” She clapped Daine on the shoulder and returned to her patient.
The next day everyone rose at first light, Onua and Daine from habit, the others from necessity. “You’re staying here?” Alanna wanted to know.
Onua spooned porridge into a bowl and gave it to her. “Just for today—give Arram a little more time before we go west. How about you?”
“I’ll see the local magistrate, now I have Arram’s information,” Alanna explained, drizzling honey into her bowl. “Once I get a writ of arrest from him, Sinthya’s mine.”
“So that’s why you were so near when I called for help,” said Onua. “Springtime you’re usually at Pirate’s Swoop. You were waiting for Arram?”
Alanna nodded. “He has proof now that Sinthya is dealing with Carthak.”
Onua smiled grimly. “I knew it!”
The knight frowned. “I’m sending word to the king, to tell him about our visitors last night, and the Stormwings.” She shook her head. “I can’t understand why these immortals are reappearing now. We’ve had reports from all over Tortall, and from our neighbors as well. Also, I don’t like it that they were on hand to chase our friend when he escaped.”
“You don’t think it was a coincidence?” Onua asked. “Or does Sinthya have an arrangement with those—things?”
Daine winced. The idea of humans welcoming such creatures was chilling.
Alanna sighed. “I don’t know. That’s one of the questions I’ll ask His Lordship—when I arrest him. In the meantime, I leave you to your travels. Don’t let Arram overdo things. And it might be best if he kept from shape-shifting for a while, not that I think he’ll have the strength to try.” The knight finished her breakfast and got to her feet. “Time to ride.”
With the consent of the man who tended Darkmoon, Daine brought the saddled horse to his mistress and held him as the Lioness mounted. This time the knight wore a leather jerkin studded with metal rings, instead of her mail. Seeing Daine look at it, she said, “I drew it from our spares. They always bring one in my size. It doesn’t look as nice as the mail, but it’s more comfortable.” She offered Daine a gloved hand to shake. “I’ll see you again—if not at the palace, then later on. Take care of my friends, and take care of yourself.”
Daine returned the woman’s firm grip. “Safe journey, Lioness. Give that Sinthya man a few lumps for me.”
Alanna laughed. “I hope to do just that.” She looked back: the men of the King’s Own were in the saddle. “Forward!”
Daine, in awe, watched them go. This was what she’d dreamed when Onua said they were going to Tortall. Well, some things are different, she thought as the riders retreated from view. Pulling the badger’s claw out of her shirt, she polished it with a thumb. She’s shorter than I expected. And I never thought she’d swear, or make jokes. She’s a legend, sure enough, but she’s so human.
An idea made her jaw drop: if she’s a legend, and a hero, then anyone could be a hero. Tucking the claw back into her shirt, she ran back to camp. If anyone might be a hero—could I? she asked herself, and smiled. No, not me.
Still, she mulled it over as she started on a pile of reins that needed mending. Onua joined her at their fire with leatherwork of her own. They worked quietly until she heard her friend say, “Look who’s up.”
Their patient stood in front of his tent. Someone—Daine assumed one of the men—had given him a shirt and breeches, as well as a pair of boots.
She stared up at him. He was five inches over six feet in height, with broad shoulders and a well-muscled body. His mass of coal black hair was combed back and tied into a horse tail to show a face that was dark and sensitive. He moved with the ease of a giant cat as he sat on a log beside Onua, but Daine suspected that he hadn’t always been so graceful. As a boy he must have resembled a stork, all elbows and knees. In his late twenties now, he had grown into his looks, and he seemed completely at home with himself.
“How’d you find a pair that fits?” Onua pointed at his feet with the awl she’d been using on her tack. “There’s tea in the kettle, and a clean mug right there.”
His lips parted to reveal white teeth in a shy smile. “Thanks.” He poured and blew gently on his tea to cool it. “Alanna witched them so they’d fit.” He regarded his boots with a wistful grin. “Nobody else had a pair even near big enough.”
“What about your own magic?” Onua asked.
“I’m dry for the moment. Tapped out.” His voice was midrange for a man’s, warm and a little hesitant—nice to listen to, Daine thought. She kept her eyes away from him as she wrestled with her leatherwork.
A pair of large hands came into her field of vision to hold the strap while she set the final stitches.
“Thanks,” she whispered, blushing.
“You look different.”
Startled, she looked up into long, shadowy eyes. “What?”
He smiled. “You we
re a lot bigger.”
She grinned in spite of her shyness. “Seems to me you was a bit smaller, now I think of it.”
The strap was fixed. He gave it back and returned to his seat on the log. “I’d be dead if it weren’t for you. You’re called Daine?”
She nodded.
“I’m glad to meet you, Daine. I’m Numair Salmalín.”
“I thought it was Arram.”
His eyes flicked to Onua and back to her. “Arram’s my boyhood name. I go by Numair now.”
Daine took the hint. “The honor’s mine, Master Numair.” Then, because she had to know, she asked, “Why didn’t you change back?”
